Are you a Wiki Leader?

This is a GUEST POST from Tim Elmore, founder and President of Growing Leaders, frequent Catalyst speaker, and the author of numerous books, including Habitudes and Generation iY. 

 

Imagine it’s 1995 again. Two digital encyclopedias are about to be created. The first is from Microsoft, a stellar company full of smart people and money. They are on top of the world, as they have just launched Windows 95. Their digital encyclopedia will be sold on CD-­‐ROMs and later online. Everyone expects this product to be a hit.

The second will launch in a few years, driven not by a company but by thousands of ordinary people who write and edit articles for fun. The question is: Which of these two products will survive? No one in their right mind would have predicted the second one—but that’s actually what happened. In 2009, Microsoft pulled the plug on Encarta, but Wikipedia continues on as motivated people engage in what they love doing. It continues to last because so many have ownership of the content. Anyone can have a say and everyone is important.

This is a picture of the shift that’s taken place in our culture today. If you don’t get it, you and your leadership will become antiquated and eventually will be irrelevant. When leaders understand this picture I’ve given you, they begin to shift their style of leadership, not their substance, and remain valuable.

The effective leader today isn’t seeking control but connection. They facilitate the best ideas, instead of merely furnish ideas themselves. It isn’t about telling the right answer to those following, but to asking the right question, so that growth can be fostered, but still owned by the follower. Relevant, healthy, effective leaders today are Wiki-­‐Leaders. They understand they’re leading in a whole new world. Let me summarize this Wiki-­‐leader:

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YESTERDAY’S LEADER: It’s about control. THE WIKI-LEADER: It's about connection.

YESTERDAY'S LEADER: The leader tells, and the people listen. THE WIKI-LEADER: The people speak, and the leader listens.

YESTERDAY'S LEADER: Power on the part of the leader. THE WIKI-LEADER: Participation on the part of everyone.

YESTERDAY's LEADER: Only the leader owns the vision. THE WIKI-LEADER: Every person owns the vision.

YESTERDAY'S LEADER: The leader commands the information. THE WIKI-LEADER: They're a clearinghouse of information.

YESTERDAY'S LEADER: The leader is a boss. THE WIKI-LEADER: The leader is a broker.

Don’t get me wrong. Today, leaders remain vital to the organization. But they simply guide the ship differently than they did before. As they run point, they continue to maintain the respect of their team—but it’s partially because they don’t demand it. They are secure enough to be a “guide” not a “god.” They hold their leadership with open palms. And when they do, the people often want to give them more influence.

Are you a Wiki-­‐Leader?

Are you stuck in the middle?

Leading from the middle of the organization is tough. Lots of responsibility, but limited empowerment. Less money, but more work. More to manage, but less training. And on and on and on. Reality is, most influence within organizations always comes from the middle, and not from the top. Those leaders "in the middle" of any organization are crucial to the success of  the mission, vision and values being lived out.

So how do you deal with this reality?

1. Understand your context. Truth is, influence doesn't require a title or position. You can wield influence from anywhere in the organization. Especially in today's cultural reality of flatter and more entrepreneurial organizational structures.

2. Be a linchpin. Be remarkable. Be so good at what you do that those around you have no other option than to take notice. Make others talk about you, in a good way of course.

3. Anticipate the needs of your boss or those above you. Understand how to best serve them and remove responsibility from their plate onto yours. If you are creating more work for your boss instead of less work, that's a problem.

4. Celebrate the accomplishments and wins for those below you. Be a cheerleader and mentor to your team and those who work for you.

5. Collaborate with those next to you or besides you. Collaboration with your peers in the organization is key. Serve them well.

6. Be trustworthy. This one is huge. It doesn't mean that you don't screw up or fail, but it means that you are worthy of being trusted. Make good decisions. Be honest. Be Authentic.

7. Lead like you are at the top. Your perspective should be that of an owner. This means you don't use the phrase "they are...." but instead speak in terms of "we are...." Big difference. Remember, influence can happen from anywhere in the organization.

8. Embrace the position you have. Don't be bitter. Lean into it. Be the best in the world at your current role. Be present.

By the way, as additional reading on this topic, I highly recommend John Maxwell's 360 Degree Leader book in regards to this topic. One of my favorite books from John.

20 Women Leaders Under 40 You Should Know

So let me be clear.... this isn't a TOP TEN list. Or a TOP TWENTY list. It's just a list. with 20 influential women leaders. All under 40 (I'm 99% sure!). That you should know about. There are many other women leaders under 40 that you should know about, but they are just not on this list, because I'm only including 20...... on this particular list. of women leaders under 40......

OK, so please add to the list by commenting below if you know of someone else who should be included.

1. Priscilla Shirer- Going Beyond Ministries

2. Jo Saxton- 3DM Ministries

3. Esther Fleece- Focus on the Family special assistant to the President

4. Jenni Catron- Cross Point Church

5. Vicky Beeching- blogger, singer, songwriter, and now PhD student in the UK!

6. Jeanne Stevens- Soul City Church

7. Margaret Feinberg- Feinberg Worldwide!

8.Phileena Heuertz- Word Made Flesh

9. Shauna Niequist- Niequist Enterprises!

10. Nikki Toyama-Szeto- Intervarsity, Urbana

11. Bethany Hoang- International Justice Mission

12. Jena Lee Nardella- Blood:Water Mission

13. Lindsey Nobles- Project 7

14. Kari Jobe- worship leader and singer/songwriter

15. Joy Eggerichs- blogger, writer and researcher for Love and Respect

16. Jennie Allen- speaker and author of Stuck and Anything

17. Jen Hatmaker-author, speaker and Church planter at Austin New Church

18. Heather Larson- director of Compassion and Justice ministries, Willow Creek Community Church

19. Christy Nockels- singer, songwriter and worship leader at Passion City Church

20. Brandi Wilson- mother, wife and leader at Cross Point Church and Leading and Loving It

Bonus: Katie Davis- author of Kisses from Katie and founder of Amazima Ministries

What other women leaders under 40 should we know about?

6 Great Video interviews from the archives

Here you go, 6 great video interviews from the archives for your weekend enjoyment! Jon Acuff, Part One

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/25984664[/vimeo]

Jon Acuff, Part Two

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/26142976[/vimeo]

Reggie Joiner with David Kinnaman

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/35158018[/vimeo]

Jack Dorsey interviewed backstage at Catalyst West 2011

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/21721854[/vimeo]

Blake Mycoskie, Part One

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/25135266[/vimeo]

Blake Mycoskie, Part Two

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/25137088[/vimeo]

 

A Leader Must Be....

1. Ready to take the fall. 2. Willing to have to sacrifice.

3. Always informed enough to make the tough decisions.

4. Constantly learning.

5. In touch with reality.

6. Able to plan for the future while leading in the present and honoring the past.

7. Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (Yikes!)

8. Humble and Hungry.

9. Never satisfied, but always content.

10. A great follower who understands how to be led.

11. Wise and discerning.

12. 100% trustworthy.

13. Willing to risk when it's needed, and not afraid to create change.

14. Constantly encouraging. (Yikes#2!)

15. Casting vision on a regular basis and creating a picture of the end goal.

Among many, many other things.....

One Key to "Social Media" Success

It's pretty simple. Be Generous. We were all taught to share when we were young (many of us never learned), but now it's imperative that we are willing to share in the social influence space.

Influence through sharing. The art of influence through "giving more than receiving".... hmmm. Seems like that has a Biblical ring to it, right??! How about 1 Timothy Chapter 6. How about the Golden Rule. How about Jesus commanding and teaching us that it is better to give than to receive. Obviously, there are differences between being generous and willing to share your money, and being generous and willing to share your influence and platform, but the point is still the same.

The greatest currency within the social media marketplace is generosity. This is undeniable. Those who have the greatest influence within social media channels are the ones willing to put others above yourself.

Remember: Constantly provide value to your tribe. Constantly figure out ways to give resources, purpose, and inspiration to your network. Be willing to share and pass on items of interest from someone else. Give credit to whoever first said it. Not focused on what you're doing, but instead focused on bringing attention to what others are doing.

It's pretty simple. Be Generous.

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People and Places I'm Learning from Currently

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Every leader needs to make sure they are continuing to learn on a consistent basis. Here are a few current outlets for my learning. This is not an exhaustive list since the things I'm listening to, reading, or watching change on a pretty regular basis. But this gives a pretty good perspective for what is happening right now. 1. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast- one of the best resources and podcasts available.

2. Catalyst DVD sets- I don't get to hear most of the talks at Catalyst, but I always go back later and listen to every talk.

3. TED Talks- one of my favorite places to look for fresh content and inspiring new voices.

4. Seth Godin- through his blog and all of his books.

5. Fast Company- both their magazine as well as the website. Great content for innovative leaders.

6. Blogs from Michael Hyatt, Tony Morgan, Perry Noble, TechCrunch, Ron Edmondson, and John Maxwell.

7. Alltop.com- a great aggregator of blogs, links, and important info. Check out the Church section on Alltop for a listing of some good Church Leadership blogs to read.

8. Charlie Rose- one of the great interviewers of our time, and always has fascinating guests on his show. And you can watch all the interviews on the website.

9. Twitter- I know that Twitter is about community, but I also think the best news feed you can have, since you can choose what you want to hear and who you want to hear from.

10. Mashable- keeps me updated on everything in the tech, social media, cool new websites, and social networks space.

11. News Apps on my iPad- including the USA TODAY app, CNN, and NY Times.

12. Other events- like SXSW, Pop Tech, Big Omaha, 99% Conference, Plywood Presents, and World Business Forum.

Tips for newbies- those just entering the "workforce"

We always have a bunch of interns at Catalyst. And most folks on our team have cut their teeth in their "first job" here at Catalyst. They are all really talented, really sharp, and really hungry to learn. Having young early 20 somethings around reminds me of the days when I started my first "real" job just after college. And while that wasn't that long ago, I feel like there are a few things I've learned since then that might be good reminders for recent college graduates, or those just entering the "workforce."

1. Show up on time (early). As I tell our team all the time: If you are on time, you're late. If you are early, you're on time.

2. Always have something to write with and write on. This is crucial. Don't go strolling off to a meeting without pen and paper, unless you are planning to take notes on your phone, on your iPad, or on your laptop.

3. Be informed. Regardless of what you are doing, be informed before you get there- whether that's a new job, or a meeting, or a lunch appointment. Do some research and show up educated about the topic, about the person, or about the context.

4. Be intentional. Start your first day by asking great questions and being inquisitive.

5. Request the tough assignments. Take initiative and request the tough assignment that no one else really wants.

6. Relentlessly get things done. When given responsibility and a task to get done, make it happen and try your best to get it done early. Then anticipate what else needs to get done beyond what you were assigned, and get that done. Under promise and over deliver.

7. Remember names. If you are new in a large office with hundreds of staff, this one can be especially difficult. But it's your responsibility. Know everyone by their first and last name within your first week. If that means studying the staff directory at night, so be it.

8. Know what your leader/boss appreciates. If your boss appreciates humor, then lean into that. If your boss appreciates staying late, then lean into that. If your boss appreciates constant feedback, lean into that.

9. Figure out the team culture, embrace it, and add to it. Our team culture at Catalyst includes several key elements- food, hard work, loud, fun, young, etc. Whatever the key elements of a team culture where you are coming in as the newbie, try to add to it. So, for example, if your team's culture is built around food, then add to that and bring in some snacks without being asked (Katie Corven and cookies!). If it's celebration, then add a new way to celebrate. If it's being loud, add a new loud instrument to the team breakroom.

Food Revolution and Patras Burgers

Occasionally here on the blog I like to share about ways that the blog community is making a difference- running after opportunities, chasing dreams, connecting dots, and making ideas happen. This is a cool story and connection.
I've been a fan of Jamie Oliver and the Food Revolution he started for quite some time now.
Well, my friends over at heystac (who designed my site) recently designed and developed a new site for Patra's Burgers.
Sound familiar? If you watched any of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last summer, then you may have seen some of Patra's transformation. Mack Kitchel, good friend and founder and creative director at heystac, was so inspired by these changes on the show that he made a little offer to the owner of Patra's. But I'll stop with the details and let him tell you.
My encouragement to you, based on this as an example, is pursue opportunities. Even when you think they might be impossible. Happy Monday!

Yee-haw...Leadership Lessons from Horse Training

I worked on a working guest ranch after college. Lost Valley Ranch in Colorado. An amazing place. I've written about it before here on the blog. Over the course of 5 years at Lost Valley, I spent lots and lots of time around horses. We had 150 horses at the Ranch. 8 hours a day around them. And these horses taught me a lot. Actually a lot about Leadership.

Here are a few of those lessons I learned:

1. Make the correct thing to do really easy, and the wrong thing to do really hard.

2. Whether you like it or not, you are ALWAYS training.

3. I would much rather have a horse I have to hold back, vs. a horse I have to spur to get going. Build your team with those who are self motivated.

4. Horses would rather eat, poop, and sleep vs. do any work. I know there is a lesson here somewhere....

5. Horses reflect their trainer- if you train incorrectly, then horses will mirror that bad training. The way your horse acts is a mirror many times into the soul of you as the trainer. Same thing with our teams- as the leader, does your team reflect the qualities you most despise about yourself?

6. Consistency is key. Repetition and persistance are crucial for training to stick.

7. You must intentionally lead them away from the group. Horses are naturally herd-bound animals, meaning the herd mentality will always drive their decisions, many times to their own detriment. They need someone to constantly guide them.

8. If you back a horse into a corner and give them no options, they will kick you. Don't put them in that position. Maybe applicable to parenting as well.

9. Immediate feedback is crucial. You can't kick a horse for something they did 5 minutes ago. They can't connect the two. You have to correct them instantly after bad behavior.

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Young Influencers List, March Edition

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Here you go, the March edition of the Young Influencers List. You can check out the past month's editions here. 1. Joy Eggerichs- blogger, writer, and researcher for Love and Respect, helping 20 somethings understand relationships. Plus she's funny.

2. Leonce Crump- lead pastor Renovation Church in Atlanta, and former Olympic wrestler and New Orleans Saint.

3. Lane Wood- social innovation director at Warby Parker. Check them out if you haven't already!

4. David Leonard and Leslie Jordan- duo that makes up the rapidly rising band "All Sons and Daughters." (they'll be at CAT WEST... shhh!)

5. Joshua Banko- senior engineer at Apple, and co-inventor/designer of the iPad. Thankyou!!

6. Tara Teng- Miss Canada 2011, human rights activist and modern day abolitionist.

7. Russell Shaw- art director, uber talented designer, illustrator, and first introduced me to Gungor!

Know of other young leaders who should be considered? Let me know!

How to connect in a conversation

I recently posted about proper ways to greet. Whether someone you are meeting for the first time or everyday greetings in your office. As a follow up, I also wanted to provide some thoughts on How best to Connect in a Conversation. Whether with someone you are meeting for the first time, or a follow up meeting, or a longtime business associate, it's important to not just greet properly, but also connect.

So here's your cheat sheet for connecting in a conversation.

1. Start with a proper greeting- We've talked about this before. Handshake, bow, hug, etc. Figure out what is appropriate and then stick to that.

2. Look them in the eye. It's amazing how many folks still can't do this. Recently posted more about this.

3. Listen more than you talk. Ask more questions than you give answers. Listening is an art.

4. Make at least one valuable connection for them. Might be that you commit to introducing them to a friend of yours, or you heard about a business opportunity they might be interested in, etc.

5. Create one simple action item. Could be a follow up call, another meeting, an email they need to send, an email you need to send, or a simple reminder to connect again soon.

6. Ask great questions. Here are a few:

What are you learning lately?

Who has had the greatest impact on you?

What gets you up in the morning and keeps you awake at night?

What do you love most about your family?

What do you love most about your job/profession?

What are you most excited about right now? 

7. Look for opportunities to provide encouragement. I don't know anyone who doesn't like to be encouraged. Find places in the conversation where you can provide some "ego biscuits" (as my good friend Steve Graves always told me).

8. Give plenty of "conversation exit ramps." Always give opportunities in a conversation with someone new the ability to exit quickly. Options to jump out of the conversation and into another one. This is paramount in environments where there are lots of other folks- dinner parties, weddings, social gatherings.

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11 Reasons to attend Catalyst Dallas 2012

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I'm so excited about Catalyst Dallas coming up May 9-11, 2012 in north Dallas at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. If you are considering attending, you'll want to go ahead and REGISTER TODAY to get the BEST POSSIBLE RATES on tickets.

TODAY, March 8th is the early registration deadline, so go ahead and get your team or staff signed up at the lower prices. And when you register, use Rate Code FOB for an additional 10% off. Just for being a part of this blog community.

Here are 11 reasons why I am excited about Catalyst Dallas, and why you should attend:

1. The speaker lineup- Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Matt Chandler, Katie Davis (best-selling author of Kisses from Katie), Judah Smith, Perry Noble, Kirk Franklin, Nancy Duarte, Bob Goff, Jud Wilhite, Jon Acuff, and Rudy Rasmus.. Seriously. I'm pumped!

2. Musical Guests include Gungor, one of my favorite bands on the planet, and Israel Houghton, one of my favorite worship leaders on the planet.

3. Tripp and Tyler- funny guys. funny videos. they will be funny. And Chris Seay as our host, truly representing the state of Texas and the city of Houston!!

4. OPEN YOUR FREE PRESENT- there are 30 songs and other great resources available to you for FREE on the Catalyst Dallas Website. Go and open your free present NOW!

5. BE PRESENT- this is our theme. And I love it. You can find out more about the theme. Your Presence is Requested!

6. LABS- wow, the wisdom and know-how that will be presenting on LABS day is humbling. Come a day early and hear from thought leaders like Michael Hyatt, Reggie Joiner, Jon Acuff, Lysa TerKeurst, Mark Batterson, Herbert Cooper, Margaret Feinberg, Tullian Tchividjian, Jo Saxton, Pete Wilson, Jeanne Stevens, Claire Diaz Ortiz, Brandon and Jen Hatmaker, Esther Havens, Carlos Whittaker, Jeremy Cowart, Bob Goff, Chris Seay, Carlos Whittaker, and many others!

7. Opening and Closing Session at LABS- Mark Batterson will be presenting in the opening session of Labs, and Reggie Joiner will be presenting in the closing session. Mark is the author of The Circle Maker and Wild Goose Chase, and Reggie is founder and CEO of Orange, and author of Think Orange.

8. 3500 Leaders- Catalyst attracts the doers, the influencers, the cultural architects, and change agents. And when you get 3500 leaders and influencers who are intent on making a difference together, great things happen.

9. Bent Tree Bible Fellowship- a great campus in Carrolton, TX (North Dallas). Top notch facilities, wireless, and a staff that is incredible to work with. The Bent Tree team is family, and we love working with them!

10. Our key partners and causes - at Catalyst we are always intentional about highlighting great organizations and leaders who are making a difference and impacting communities all over the world. Once again we'll have a number of organizations present that you can talk with and get involved with, including Hello Somebody, Art House of America, CitySquare, Gift Card Giver, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee (free coffee!!), Compassion International, TOMS Shoes, Veritas Fashion, Mission Year, Amazima, and many more!

11. The Unexpected- Our prayer is always that God would move in the hearts of the leaders who are part of Catalyst in ways we don't expect or plan for. We love creating what we consider to be a great event, but we trust and know that God shows up in unexpected ways and meets each leader in specific ways. We love hearing stories of life change, of moments of clarity, of great conversations, of powerful times of renewal, of leader's walk with Jesus becoming stronger, etc. The experience of Catalyst is what we all look forward to.

Make sure and Register TODAY. Can't wait to see you there!

 

 

 

 

Why Your Leadership must be "Social"

It's imperative that you are "social" in your leadership and influence today. A new reality exists, and as leaders we have to be not only aware of this, but also willing to jump in and embrace a new reality of Social engagement like never before. Here are a few thoughts on Social Leadership:

1. Social Media = Influence. Bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers, and Social media junkies are now the normal outlets to tap into for getting the word out. I've seen this the last few years with everything from new movies to new books to new conferences. These leaders are being sought out not just for their networks, but also for their endorsements. It's a new era. Exponential influence in ways never seen before is happening through blogging, tweeting, facebooking, pinteresting, etc. Digital mavens are shaping what we are listening to, reading, watching, and learning.

2. Social Entrepreneurs= A new wave of leaders has emerged. Leaders who combine business savvy with charitable endeavors and social innovation. Scott Harrison, Charles Lee, Blake Mycoskie, Jamie Tworkowski, Laura Waters Hinson, Eugene Cho, Jeff Shinabarger, Kohl Crecelius and Jason Russell just to name a few.

3. Social Accountability- Leaders are constantly being evaluated in todays culture. You can’t hide anymore behind a position or title. Leaders are being held to a standard never seen before because of constant media- video, flip cameras, blogging, twitter. Your leadership has constant real-time evaluation. Especially well-known leaders. And Authenticity is crucial. Being honest, genuine and real is important for continual influence.

4. Social Good- it's now in vogue to "do good." And society in general is taking notice. Celebrities gain more influence because of causes they're involved in. Businesses are "doing good" and focusing on the triple bottom line, which is now a normal measurement of success in business. Meaning what was our "gift back to society" and how did we "leave the world a better place." It's not just about making a profit anymore.

5. Social Politics in organizations is fading- Positional leadership doesn’t really matter anymore. Not about what position or title you hold, but more about what you are delivering. If you are executing and getting things done and creating value for the organization, your influence will have impact.

6. Creating a social "community" is now a norm, not an exception. A great example of this is Zappos, and the kind of culture that Tony Hsieh has created there. Employees enjoy being around each other, and take pride in a sense of family that exists within their company.

7. Flattening of the "social hierarchy of influence." I can learn from all kinds of great leaders in todays culture, and not know them personally. I can also connect with well known leaders much easier than in the past through technology and social platforms. Information and inspiration has never been so readily available to us. When you follow someone on Twitter, you feel like you know them personally, even if they have hundreds of thousands of other "followers."

8. Social Justice is not just a fad. Connected to #4, but my opinion is that especially within the Church/faith community, this shift towards the "living out" of the Gospel through justice and mercy is here to stay.

9. A new generation of employees expect a "social workplace." This is a Reality of a new generation, according to Tim Elmore is his great book Generation iY :

- Experiential- all about the 5 senses. Sensory engagement is critical and a reality in terms of what Millenials have grown up with and desire.

- Participatory- want an experience to be customized. Millenials have grown up in a participatory culture. They don’t just listen, but actually want to participate. This is very important in terms of creating a work environment/team culture that is attractive to 20 somethings.

- Image-Rich- all about pictures, video, large screens, large TV’s, high res pics on your phone, etc. Pictures/video are an incredibly powerful learning medium for Millenials, vs. just text. Especially in terms of memory.

- Connected- information is constant for Millenials. Text, facebook, twitter, phone, email. This can be both a positive and a negative.

Recent Interviews on the Catalyst Podcast

Check out some of the recent Catalyst Podcast episodes, featuring interviews with: - Lecrae, award winning hip hop artist and co-founder of Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries.

- David Platt, pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham and best-selling author of Radical. David will be speaking at our Catalyst West event coming up on April 18-20.

- Nancy Duarte, founder of Duarte Design and best-selling author of Resonate and Slide:ology. Nancy will be speaking at our Catalyst West and Catalyst Dallas events coming up April 18-20 (West) and May 9-11 (Dallas).

- Judah Smith, pastor of The City Church in Seattle, and one of the best communicators in the world. Judah will be speaking at our Catalyst Dallas event coming up May 9-11.

- Joshua Dubois, director of the White House office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

- Anthony Bradley, associate professor of theology and ethics at Kings College in New York.

You can download all Catalyst Podcast episodes for FREE directly from iTunes, or listen on the Catalyst Website.

The Skill of the Follow up

Leaders get things done. They are action oriented and always moving towards the finish line. As all of us know, when dealing with other people, other organizations, and other teams, many times the project or initiative bogs down because "you haven't heard back from him" or "she never emailed me to confirm" or "I'm still waiting on them to send over a fax" or "I called and left a message, but don't want to bother them again." When other people get involved besides us, things get more complicated.

If you want to truly get things done, you have to become skilled at the follow up. Here are a few things I've learned over the years:

1. It's always your responsibility to initiate. Obviously if you are the one asking for something, then you have to initiate. But even if you're just part of the project or one of the steps in the project, you need to always feel responsibility to initiate.

2. We're all busy. Never take offense or get your feelings hurt because someone hasn't responded to your initial invitation or request. Very rarely is a lack of response personal. It's just because people are busy.

3. Figure out how best to get an answer. Many people don't return phone calls anymore, but if you text them, they'll get right back to you. Be smart. Customize your communication if you want a quick response.

4. Make it easy to get a response. Make sure it's one step to confirm or respond or get you the information you need. Don't make folks jump through multiple hoops in order to get you what you need. Remove all the barriers.

5. Create a deadline. Make sure you are very clear in your initial request and in your follow up what you are asking for, as well as when you need it. Sometimes we forget to create urgency and expectations alongside the request.

6. Aggressively pursue until you get a yes or no. If it takes 5 emails, then send 5 emails. If it takes 3 phone calls, make 3 phone calls. Get it to the finish line.

What are some of your secrets in regards to following up and getting things done?

15 Small things that will Kill Company Morale

As leaders, we always are trying our best to create momentum, good morale, team spirit, vision and an overall spirit of enthusiasm on our teams and in our offices.

Here are a few small things that have the potential to kill the company morale quickly:

1. bad tissue in the bathrooms- no one wants the equivalent of sandpaper at the office. invest in the good stuff.

2. charging for coffee- seriously. a bad decision all the way around. and while I'm at it, most companies should quit charging for snacks. Spend a couple hundred bucks to create a free snack bin.

3. standardized approach to your office or cube. let your team add some flare to their area. please.

4. a faulty copier- I think there is an international conspiracy to make all copiers bad.

5. Bad furniture- especially uncomfortable chairs. or desks that belong in a junkyard. And please get rid of the fake trees!!

6. technology issues- computer issues, incompetent IT people, and slow responses will cripple your team. Invest here or else.

7. public recognition that is incorrect. make sure you know who actually did a great job before handing out the kudos at the company picnic or staff meeting to the wrong person. this is a total demotivator.

8. a new policy every week. whether it is expense reports, insurance, office furniture, parking, kitchen etiquette, IT, pets, pranks, profits, spouses, travel, meals, hiring, firing, vacation, talking, sleeping, phones, dating, child care, meetings, conference rooms, dish policy, management, health care, reporting, new forms, recycling, etc., etc. etc. Change is good, but can quickly overwhelm the system. Constant change can be incredibly draining.

9. fun Police. there is one in every company, and their entire reason for living is to make you feel guilty for any kind of fun in the office. Punch them directly in the throat. Just kidding, sort of. And of course the IT/Tech guy who blocks every helpful internet download or interesting website is a real joy to have around.

10. too many meetings- if you are an executive or team leader, this is usually your fault, because you feel like you need to schedule meetings in order to seem busy. Stop it. When in doubt, don't meet. Just execute. Don't talk more about it. Just get it done. No one needs more meetings. No one.

11. unmet promises- i'm guilty of this one. I admit it. and it is a morale killer. Leaders- don't throw out promises you can't keep because you feel like the leadership moment demands it. Hold your tongue, or be prepared to deliver.

12. Unnecessary Dress codes. This one creates more water cooler talk than maybe anything else. If you can be casual, then just be casual.

13. Punishing all for the sake of one- another one I've been guilty of before. Instead of confronting one person regarding an issue, a whole new company policy or nasty email is created or sent geared towards the whole team but everyone on the team knows its meant for only one person.

14. Catering to the Brown nosers- this happens all the time. And usually everyone is aware of who the brown nosers are except the boss. This drives get it done type leaders crazy.

15. A reward that doesn't fit the accomplishment. You just brought in a $100,000 client... here's a $50 gift card to Applebees. Or you save the company $75,000 in expenses... thanks for the new mousepad and 2 free movie tickets.

Bonus: Sending an official "memo" as a reprimand. Really?

What would you add to the list?

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A "Don't Do" List as a Young and Aspiring Leader

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For young leaders who are "up and comers," here are a few things to NOT DO as you continue to gain influence, responsibility and authority. DON'T DO THESE:

1. Believe that you are "the answer."

2. Stop honoring those who've laid the groundwork before you.

3. Write off all the folks who finally helped you "arrive," who might suddenly seem insignificant or unimportant.

4. Remove yourself from reality by surrounding yourself with "handlers" and those only interested in being "yes" men and women.

5. Believe the hype and regard yourself as crucial, and ultimately more important than all others, in connection to the success of the organization or project.

6. Adopt a scarcity mindset, believing that everything is a zero sum game.

7. Lose the passion for collaboration and partnership, whether in your community, or industry, or network.

8. Become cynical and pessimistic at every turn.

9. Stop "dating" your spouse and intentionally building into your closest friendships.

10. No longer see learning as a priority since you now know everything.

DON"T DO THESE.

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Young Influencers List, February Edition

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Here you go, the February edition of the Young Influencers List. You can check out all the past months lists here. 1. Dale Partridge- CEO and Chief Word Changer at Sevenly, plus die hard entrepreneur and writer.

2. Jeremy Lin- recent phenom and point guard for the New York Knicks. Linsanity!!

3. Justin Buzzard- pastor of Garden City Church in Silicon Valley, author of soon to release book Date Your Wife.

4. Beth Redman- author, songwriter, worship leader, wife of Matt, and part of 27 Million movement - releasing the hit song on Feb 27.

5. Matt Barkley- quarterback for the USC Trojans, and Heisman Trophy leading candidate for 2012.

6. Dhati Lewis- Lead pastor and Church planter for Blueprint in Atlanta, and founder of The ReBuild Initiative.

7. Jen Hatmaker- mom, speaker, and entertaining author of nine books and Bible studies, including her most recent book Seven.

Let me know if you have recommendations for future Young Influencers Lists, and give these folks a follow on Twitter!

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Leadership Lessons from playing Point Guard

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I played point guard on my high school basketball team. We were pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. And I was average as a point guard..... yeah, football and golf were my real sports! But I learned some solid leadership lessons playing the point, and when I watch great point guards play basketball still today there are lessons that emerge. Here are a few that we can apply to our own leadership paradigms:

1. Making a great pass is as important as making a great shot. Helping someone else on your team succeed is in many ways more important than you being the star.

2. Know the team better than anyone else. Point guards have to be aware of the strengths of each member of the team and understand how best to motivate them and bring out their best.

3. Preparation, knowledge and awareness. As a point guard, you have to be a coach on the court. An extension of your head coach. Part of your responsibility is to read defenses, set up your own defense, and adapt. Being prepared means being knowledgable and smart.

4. Keep your offense in rhythm and on task. Point guards distribute the ball to the playmakers. You have to understand who's hot and make sure they get the ball, while keeping everyone still involved in the rhythm of the game. This is a tough skill to master.

5. Call the play, and execute the game plan. Point guards must be prepared, but also must make it happen and execute. Ultimately, the point guard has to be a Catalyst and get things done.

6. If needed, take over the game and make a play. Great leaders and great point guards can do this on command. Spread the offense out and take the game winning shot. Steal the ball. Start a fast break. Get the crowd involved. Put the team on your shoulders if needed.

For you basketball experts, what other lessons have you noticed from the great point guards? 

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